“PRIME Minister Nawaz Sharif will not resign,” tweeted Maryam Nawaz. Many meetings were held at the Prime Minister’s House to discuss the political situation in the country following the release of the JIT report. The cabinet is divided on the issue whether to resign or hold on to power: Shahbaz Sharif, Raja Zafaul Haq, Khaqqan Abbasi and others are in favour of resigning. Khwaja Asif Saad Rafique, Ahsan Iqbal and some others do not want to quit.

It is for the prime minister to decide about this. Javed Hashmi, a senior politician from Multan, has advised him to resign. He has strongly criticised the judges and the military establishment. He said no one had ever held judges or generals accountable.

As usual, Mr Hashmi criticised Imran Khan for exploiting the Panama scandal for his own interest. The die has been cast. Now it is Sharif’s own choice how he wants to leave the political scene. He wants to become a political martyr and resurrect his political career.

Javaid Bashir

Lahore

(2)

AS a nation we need both justice and morality. Quoting the West for standards, our leaders often miss the golden opportunity to set precedents. On a mere allegation the prime minister of Iceland resigned — not on the basis of any judicial inquiry but on moral grounds. Under the cover of mandate isn’t it disgusting to hold any position so untenable morally?

The JIT report clearly suggests that the prime minister and his family are in the midst of huge financial irregularities. It’s time they went home, with ego.

Challenging the institution on the pretext of a conspiracy will plunge this country into a political crisis the nation can hardly afford. It’s time a confrontation with other institutions was avoided without creating any further mess. Justice tests morality.

Jawad Amin

Mardan

(3)

THE corruption case against Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his family now hinges on a font style of the document that was at the centre of corruption inquiry. The confirmation by the British forensic expert says the document, dated 2006, which was presented by the Sharif family to the JIT, was typed in the Calibri font — despite the fact that Calibri was not commercially available until 2007.

The font proves that the document is fake or falsified and submitting it was a criminal offence by Maryam Nawaz.

Currently, it has been noticed that Wikipedia entry for Calibri has apparently been repeatedly edited following the revelations to save the accused.

Salahudddin Bhutto

Islamabad

(4)

ONE of the charges against Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is that he and his family were spending much more than what they were supposed to be earning. Most of our public representatives, of course, are just like the Sharifs, and they too should be investigated to disqualify them from holding public office. However, since investigating all of them will take a very long time, I suggest we start with the big fish.

Asif Ali Zardari was convicted of money laundering by a Swiss court. When he became president of the country, the proceedings in the case were suspended as he claimed immunity.

However, as with the passage of years the case became time-barred, the Supreme Court directed the then prime minister, Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, to write a letter to the Swiss court to reopen the case. When Mr. Gilani refused to do so, he was sentenced for contempt of court and had to resign.

Uzair Baloch, a Lyari gangster, also levelled charges against Zardari, who is known to be the beneficial owner of big houses in England and France. He should only be asked how he is able to live so lavishly in foreign countries on his pension. If he is unable to give a satisfactory answer, the court should take action against him.

Shakir Lakhani

Karachi

(5)

IT is decided at the PML-N meeting that the prime minister will not step down and defend himself in the Supreme Court. On the other hand, the opposition is seeking immediate resignation. The political crisis is deepening. On principle, the PM should step aside until the Supreme Court verdict. If the apex court clears him, he will take back the prime minister’s slot.

If the first option failed, the opposition should wait till the final verdict. The government-opposition rift can derail democracy. The question is: if the final authority is the Supreme Court, why should the opposition be so hesitant?

I appeal to all concerned to ease tension and show a sense of responsibility for the sake of the country and democracy

T.H. Khan

Karachi

Published in Dawn, July 15th, 2017